Presence of an oestradiol receptor-related protein in the skin: changes during the normal menstrual cycle.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the presence of an oestradiol receptor-related protein (P29) in skin and skin organelles, and to assess changes in its content during the normal menstrual cycle. DESIGN: An observational study. SETTING: King's College School of Medicine and Dentistry, London. SUBJECTS: Twenty-one premenopausal women with regular menstrual cycles undergoing gynaecological surgery. They were allocated to proliferative or secretory phases of the menstrual cycle on the basis of menstrual dating and histological examination of an endometrial sample. INTERVENTIONS: Small full thickness sections of skin (about 5 mm in depth) taken from the anterior abdominal wall at hysterectomy or laparoscopic sterilization. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The concentration of the oestradiol receptor-related protein in skin and its organelles was assessed semi-quantitatively, using a monoclonal antibody technique. The intensity of staining was compared between the proliferative and secretory phases of the cycle. RESULTS: The receptor-related protein was consistently observed in epidermis, sebaceous glands, hair follicles and sweat ducts; there was no significant difference in its concentration between the proliferative and secretory phases of the menstrual cycle. The protein was not present in dermis and sweat ducts. CONCLUSIONS: Epidermis and some skin organelles contain an oestradiol receptor-related protein and must be considered as oestrogen target tissues. However, the content of this protein does not appear to change significantly during the normal menstrual cycle.